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The Hawaiian island of Maui welcomes more than 2 million visitors each year. Despite its popularity, this scenic island offers unspoiled wilderness, secluded beaches and quiet spots to stroll or unwind, as only 25 percent of Maui is inhabited and developed. Of course, if you seek a bustling beachfront for a day of people-watching, Maui offers that, too. A Maui vacation provides relaxation and excitement in equal measure.

Dine

One of the most satisfying aspects of travel is experiencing local cuisine. Grab lunch at Marisa's Makena Grill, a popular local lunch spot that "National Geographic Traveler" describes as "the best lunch on the island." This roadside cart, located in south Maui's Makena Beach, serves fish tacos, fish and chicken kebobs and coconut jasmine rice and fire-roasted bananas drizzled with cream and honey. Mama's Fish House in north Maui near the Kahului Airport emphasizes fresh local produce and seafood. Lunch and dinner menus feature Polynesian-inspired dishes such as uku ceviche, octopus carpaccio and mahi mahi Hawaiian-style.

Learn

No vacation would be complete without learning a new skill or bit of information. Alan Cadiz's HST Hawaiian Sailboarding Techniques, the largest and oldest windsurfing school on the island, offers customized windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding lessons. Professional instructors lead beginning to advanced classes for youth and adults in Kanaha Beach Park, a protected area with a full staff of lifeguards. Learn about Maui's natural environment at the Pu'u Kukui Watershed Preserve. Set on a mountainside, this 8,304-acre park is the state's largest nature preserve. Look for endemic and native plants and animals as you stroll through the park. Bring a raincoat, as this is one of the wettest spots on the island.

Beach

Beautiful, sandy beaches ring Maui. For excitement, shopping, dining and drinking, visit Kaanapali Beach. Stroll along the four-mile stretch of golden sand, stopping at the many boutiques and open-air bars and restaurants along the adjacent paved path. For a scenic beach with protected waters and superb snorkeling, head to Kapalua Beach. Just a few miles from the bustle of Kaanapali, Kapalua's sandy crescent has lifeguards, showers and restrooms. For a secluded, quiet experience, drive to Slaughterhouse Beach on the island's western Honolua Bay. Bring your camera and capture the views of the West Maui Mountains from Kihei's Keawakapu Beach.

Golf

Maui is home to 14 golf courses, many of which feature ocean views and prominent architects. The Royal Kaanapali Golf Course in west Maui is the state's first resort course. Central Maui's Kahili course offers views of the Kahului Harbor and the volcanic mountain peak of Haleakala. South Maui's Old Blue Course at Wailea Resort is planted with tropical flowers and offers views of the neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai.

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About the Author

Based in the Southwest, Linsay Evans writes about a range of topics, from parenting to gardening, nutrition to fitness, marketing to travel. Evans holds a Master of Library and Information Science and a Master of Arts in anthropology.